It's August 5th... I don't know where I'm transferring.

<p>This is completely pathetic. But I will lay out my rediculous situation anyway, just because I don't know what to do anymore...</p>

<p>I finished my freshman year at Miami University of Ohio, pretty miserable, but with almost straight A's in spite of both my severely depressed state and a pretty mediocre high school record. Miami is a lovely place, but not for me.
I want more of a challenge, more personal attention, more support for the arts recreationally (theatre, music, studio art) and definitely more diversity-- I'm one of the first in my family to go to college and I truly would like to experience more of the world than my family did. </p>

<p>During second semester I applied to transfer to the following, very different places: Syracuse University, Denison University, Lafayette College and University of Rochester. I got into Newhouse at Syracuse and was pretty excited to double major in Communications (Public Relations) and Psychology, to be able to do theatre recreationally and (an added plus) to be less than two hours from my boyfriend at Cornell. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I received deplorable financial aid from Syracuse and decided it would not be worth it to go there, taking comfort in the fact that at least I would not have to transfer to another large university, as Miami's size, though moderate, was large for me. I also didn't receive enough financial aid from Lafayette to justify making my mother, who's putting three of us through college herself, share that weight with me.</p>

<p>Denison University gave me full tuition and the rest of my expenses in grants and only one small loan. At first I was so blown away and excited, but the more people I talk to about it, the more I am being convinced that Denison will be just like Miami, only smaller. People I know who transferred out because of both antisemitism and sheer boredom have me scared. And in terms of the social life, it seems people only party in campus housing... I can't imagine being in a place where all there is to do is drink and pass out... that's how miami was at times, and it was depressing. </p>

<p>The University of Rochester gave me similar financial aid to Denison, though about 5,000 more in loans. It's academically the best school I got into, and though I would be living in overflow, apartment-style housing 5 minutes from campus, it seems like a good opportunity and a different one than anyone in my family has ever gotten. </p>

<p>Here's my deal with Rochester: Silly as it sounds, I'm terrified of being isolated even more than I would be normally since the student body is not supposed to be too incredibly social. There is a social (mostly greek) scene, but it seems that people settle in with their groups by sophomore year, which would make living far away a huge detriment when it comes to meeting people and staying in contact with them in the first months. And though I want the research opportunities and the good reputation, am I willing to go through what could potentially be another very lonely semester to get them?</p>

<p>As it stands now all three schools think I'll be there at the end of this month. I need to decide--weeks ago. I've just been so immobilized with the fear of making another mistake. I hated miami, but jumping head-first when I'm not completely convinced about one of these other schools seems like even more of a mistake. </p>

<p>I have gotten to quite a rediculous point. I can pursue my double major in english and psychology at any of these places and get a fine education and a decently marketable degree. I've just hit such a wall and I'm running myself in circles trying to find the lesser of three. That's not what college should be.</p>

<p>Do I go back, stick it out and try to transfer again if I'm still miserable-having made my gpa an even more solid 3.8 or 3.9? Or do I take a potentially silly chance?</p>

<p>I sent you a private message, but I wanted to bump this thread up too.
I don't think it would be silly to go back to Miami and try transferring again for spring and fall if you can't see yourself at any of these schools.</p>

<p>Thank you.... so much</p>

<p>That is a very legitimate concern. If you like your social situation at Miami, then stay. It sounds to me, however, that you don't really. So the question is: do you think it could possibly be worse at Rochester? If so, you really need to think hard about whether or not you want to take that risk. It's a risk that all transfer students must take. If you can't decide, I'd stay at Miami for another semester (or year?) and apply again. If you still haven't been satiated socially or academically then transfer.</p>

<p>Also... I know what you mean about Miami :P I went to camp there over the summer during high school and it's in the middle of nowhere.</p>

<p>In order to bump this I will respond to MagiTF with a ramble:</p>

<p>I wasn't socially happy at all, but I also didn't LET myself be. I was self loathing and missing my friends and boyfriend off at their ivy league schools without me. And I refused to rush because I thought it was pretentious and silly. My reverse-snobbery is what got me into trouble. I realize now that I could probably be at least okay there-if not totally content. I have very few friends but I DO have friends and frankly I AM pretty and fun and if I would stop whining I could make a lot more. I WANT to want to go to Rochester for so many reasons, but being a transfer after having a dismal first year seems like I'm just asking to get my feelings hurt.</p>

<p>A place like denison would be different because its small and I work well in more intimate situations. However the risk of outgrowing the place haunts me and I doubt I'd be accepted anywhere if I went to denison for just one semester and transferred again.</p>

<p>..........</p>

<p>What are you planning on doing postgraduation? What's your major? </p>

<p>If you decide to transfer to one of the above mentioned schools and have a rather difficult transition and/or do not enjoy the environment, you'll be stuck back at square one. </p>

<p>In addition, the fact that it's August 5th and you haven't made a final decision will most likely negatively impact your overall incoming student preparations, including the housing assignment at the new institution, your class schedule, advising sessions, etc.</p>

<p>To avoid having to transfer for a third time if things at the new university don't work out, I'd recommend remaining at your current school for one final semester, and look into transferring for the spring semester. </p>

<p>Furthermore, if you look into graduate school, medical school, law school, etc., you are going to have to send transcripts from every school you have attended. You'd have to come up with a really decent explanation regarding your decision to transfer 3 times... It might look like you are indecisive, unsure of your career path, etc.
I would also look into some visiting student programs, either for the fall or the spring, I attended NYU's Spring in NY, and IMO it gave me a leg up come application time, (I attended a private, transfer student info section during the semester, and was accepted for the fall), and it also served as a vehicle to a) remove me from my old former institution b) kill a semester's worth of time since I wanted to transfer to several universities who only accepted transfer students in the fall. A bunch of universities offer visiting programs during the spring and fall; some might have end-of-summer deadlines, so I would check into these type of opportunities if you really don't want to remain at your current university for that much longer. :)</p>

<p>I am transferring to U of R next year...I'll be your friend if you choose to go there! I'm coming from Loyola Chicago and had the exact same feelings that you had at Miami. I am also a little worried about having a social life as a transfer, so I totally understand your ambivalence about it.</p>

<p>P.S. I think we're friends on facebook?</p>

<p>It seems to me.....</p>

<p>that the worries you have about transferring to these places will be the same worries you will have about transferring if you wait another semester or another year.</p>

<p>that you likely had good reasons for selecting each of the colleges you chose for transfer apps, but that now you are having buyer's remorse.</p>

<p>This is NORMAL. To second guess your Denison excitement based on talking to some disaffected people may not be wise. OTOH, maybe its social scene is not what you are seeking. To worry about finding your social niche at URochester... that too is normal. There are effective ways to combat your concerns. JOIN things. Get involved in activities which interest you.</p>

<p>You can do this and you can have a great experience at whichever of those two you choose.</p>

<p>I would recommend you choose one and make your experience a great one. LCD just got you started if you choose URochester. That is a huge beginning!</p>

<p>Great good luck to you.</p>

<p>(I tranferred myself back in the day, and my S transferred more recently; so I know the worries and concerns, but I also know you can make it work).</p>